Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin next Thursday in Turkey.

Zelensky expressed Kyiv’s hope for a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire starting tomorrow, emphasizing that this “forms the necessary basis for diplomacy,” adding, “There is no benefit in continuing the massacres.”

He confirmed his intention to meet Putin, wishing the Russians would not “look for excuses this time.”

On his part, President Putin proposed to resume direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul without preconditions, which he confirmed in statements reported by Russian media.

He also indicated his intention to communicate with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to facilitate these negotiations.